Ian Richards Named BPD Officer of the Month

Bradenton Police Officer Ian Richards has been selected to receive the Officer of the Month award for January 2013. He was nominated by Lieutenant William Fowler.

On December 12, 2012, at approximately 2:43 a.m., Officer Ian Richards witnessed a possible Burglary (in-progress) to a vehicle in the Harbour Pointe apartment complex. Officer Richards observed an unknown male subject acting suspicious while walking away from a group of parked vehicles in front of one of the buildings. Officer Richards parked, and exited his patrol vehicle, and followed the male as the subject walked around a building and away from the vehicles.

Officer Richards noticed that one of the vehicle's door was slightly ajar. Officer Richards followed the male's path from a distance and requested assistance from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, due to the jurisdiction. The unknown subject walked back around the building, and unlawfully entered a vehicle. Officer Richards confronted the subject, and detained him until a Deputy from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office arrived. The subject was arrested, and the victim's property was returned.

Officer Richards’ excellent observation and quick actions prevented further vehicle burglaries from occurring.

Officer Richards is to be commended for his clear thinking, and professional reaction to this situation. Although this crime did not occur within the City of Bradenton, Officer Richards provided an invaluable service to the people of that apartment complex and Manatee County. His actions reflect positively upon himself and the City of Bradenton Police Department as a whole.

Officer Richards is a true asset to the City of Bradenton Police Department, and is deserving of the title of “Officer of the Month.”